Libya’s interim rulers cede power to elected leaders

Libya’s first democratically elected leaders now govern the North African nation, after interim rulers handed over power in a ceremony late Wednesday in the capital, Tripoli.

The National Transitional Council, which was set up in the early days of the revolution that started in February 2011, ceded the reins of government to the General National Congress, which was elected last month.

The event marked the first peaceful transfer of power in Libya’s modern history.

The 200-member General National Congress elected Mohamed Yousef Magariaf as its president in a late-night vote Thursday.

Mr. Magariaf, a longtime critic of the Gadhafi regime, quit his post as Libya’s ambassador to India in 1980. He leads the National Front party, which was known as the National Front for the Salvation of Libya during the Gadhafi era. The party won three seats in the July election.

The Congress will select a prime minister within 30 days. The new prime minister will then pick a Cabinet.

It was not clear whether the Congress would retain an existing panel that has been tasked with drafting a constitution or appoint a new one.

Parliamentary elections are expected to be held next year after a new constitution is place.

A liberal coalition led by Mahmoud Jibril, who served as the rebels’ prime minister during the uprising, won 39 of the 80 party seats in the Congress. The Justice and Construction Party, launched by Libya’s Muslim Brotherhood, won 17. Independent candidates hold the remaining 120 seats.

Mr. Jibril’s National Forces Alliance Party and the Islamists’ Justice and Construction Party have been wooing the independents in a bid to build a ruling majority.

Cooperation between the various political players will be key, as a two-thirds majority is required to avoid parliamentary gridlock.

On Sunday, the International Committee of the Red Cross suspended its work in Benghazi, Libya’s largest eastern city, and Misrata, a western city on the Mediterranean coast.

The decision was taken after unknown assailants attacked a Red Cross residence in Misrata with rockets and grenades. It was the fifth time in less than three months that the Red Cross had been attacked in the two cities.

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About the Author

Ashish Kumar Sen is a reporter covering foreign policy and international developments for The Washington Times.

Prior to joining The Times, Mr. Sen worked for publications in Asia and the Middle East. His work has appeared in a number of publications and online news sites including the British Broadcasting Corp., Asia Times Online and Outlook magazine.